Saying goodbye to a beloved friend is never easy. We understand this firsthand and want to help you through this difficult and emotional time in any way we can. We invite you to use this page to create a memorial to remember your pet and to share the special memories that you shared together with others. We also encourage you to reach out to our staff whenever you need support. We’ll get through this difficult time together.

Jasper

By Brandi McMullen

My beloved dog Jasper, I had him since he was a puppy, he was the best dog ever loyal, playful, funny, loving, sweet, loud lol, everyone who met him loved him, Jasper espcially loved his chicken, his mama his sissy (me) his family and chasing squirells. He was a typical doggie lol. Jasper was always there for me when I was sad, he was there through thick and thin and we we're there for him.. you will be missed Jasper, my bubby my buddy, Jazzy poo I love you... :'( little brother you we're the best dog anyone could have and my best canine friend in the universe.... see you in Heaven my puppy :'( Jasper had a fungus that turned into cancer... He was put to sleep at 12:00pm today.. he went peacefully...

Impulse

by Jim Casey

"This was written only a few short weeks before we somewhat shockingly had to release our baby girl, Impulse, from what no doubt would have been a suffering she did not deserve. The devastation of her loss is made slightly more comfortable by the knowledge that we celebrated her daily and we were blessed and proud to share her with everyone. The words written here were never truer of Impulse, than in her final days and moments. We remain in gratitude to you for your care, and to her, always. She came into our lives somewhat unexpectedly yet fueled by a force of destiny surrounding the moment, choosing, and immediate attraction that grew quickly to love. She has spent almost the entirety of her almost sixteen years secured in our collective hearts. Impulse, our toy Poodle, is tiny at eleven pounds; all spiral curls and heart. We thought she would be a perfect companion for our disabled, Zen-like, somewhat sedentary dog, Legacy, and though she was that in many of their years together, she became my touchstone. In times of sadness or fear she has helped quiet the tears, her soft affability evidenced by kisses offered freely, and patience beyond compare. She has been cradled, coddled and snuggled- this familial, unfettered, teddy-bear-like mascot of sweetness. At the age of nine, the shadows that rolled in and robbed Impulse of her eyesight, in turn cast a light on the truest core of her being. Her cureless, hereditary disease was compromised further by cataracts, yet she transitioned so smoothly we questioned the diagnosis. She continues to navigate her way outside, scaling a couple of steps, and though she no longer jumps on her favorite couch, where she sat perched on the back as she took in the energies all around her, she did so for many years when it seemed impossible for her to manage. A veterinarian once told me, her blindness would likely be harder for our family than Impulse. I mourned all the things that she easily let go of as though they were nothing but trappings anyway. It was as if to say, “I don’t need to see all of you because I know you. I am safe and adored, and it is enough.” Her code is simple: trust fully. What may have been taken from her, she freely gave. She reminds us daily that it is our choice to seize our moments, to transcend what we cannot control. And, if the cookie smells good? Eat it."

Legacy

byShannon

Legacy Sweetheart Casey
1998-2013

For our beloved Legacy, born with deformed front legs and paws, every day of her life presented a challenge that she was more than up for meeting. Always a survivor, we adopted Legacy at age one from Homeward Bound, the group that had rescued her from death row at a Duluth, MN shelter. After several surgeries to correct her front leg maladies as best we could, Legacy continued to draw looks from people as we took her on her slow, daily walks. She was reborn when we brought home Impulse, her Toy Poodle sister, as a tiny puppy. The two played with reckless abandon and for 14 years have shared their daily walks and multitude of dog beds. She racked up impressive road miles on our annual treks from MN to CA and loved boat rides, snow and sitting on the front porch fiercely guarding our home and watching passersby. Legacy was confronted with a myriad of health issues over her lifetime that she took in stride; rarely missing a daily walk or a meal! When her hips started to fail her after years of overcompensating for her front legs, Legacy took to wearing a hiking harness with ease which made it infinitely easier to carry her from place to place when she needed it; though she always wanted to try doing things herself first. Her spirit was resilient beyond measure. In recent months, sometimes daily trips to the Vet for fluids and check-ups, became a blessed ritual. Our team of Veterinarians always greeted her with love and awe at her strength and trust in their care. Failing kidneys could ultimately not be overcome, but we are grateful that we were able to help ease her passage to the other side without making her suffer unnecessary pain or indignities. We are honored to have been her caretakers and for her teaching us about strength through adversity. We will think of her every day and see her again when we too pass from this earth. – Caryn, Jim, Siera, Carlie, Impulse and Dharma Casey

Beryl

byShannon

Our hospital dog passed away last night. She really belonged to Dr. Metzger but she spent every day with us in the hospital. She was such a wonderful dog, loving and very smart. She did have heart problems and Dr. Metzger took her to the cardiac specialist to have a pace maker put it. It worked wonderfully and extended her life more than a year. It was worth every penny to see her still happy and rolling over right on her pace maker to have her tummy rubbed again. She did get to be more trouble but everyone in the hospital was happy to have a turn to hurry her out the back door when she needed out. We will miss her so much but dogs don’t last forever and it was her time to go. Dr. Metzger loved all the dogs and cats he has had over the years but every so often you get a special one and Beryl was special. Goodbye Beryl.

Coco

Dr. Metzger lost his other old dog now. She was 16 years old but that was more than expected for her because she was born with congenital malformations of the legs. It never seemed to bother her much and she loved to ride more than she liked walking. She was the sweetest dog although she had problems after Beryl passed away. She was so used to Beryl helping her out. She always had a sweet inquiring look on her face and pretty curly long hair in places on her back. Everyone at the hospital will miss her so much especially as she was always, always under the lunch room table between 11-1 p.m. She always rolled over for a good tummy scratch whenever anyone would get down to her level. She was a wonderful companion and will be sorely missed